Tweet
This Land Rover has been part of my family for 60 years. My father special-ordered it in England in 1964, where it was registered and shipped to Boston aboard the SS American Chieftain (since decommissioned). It carries its original English plate (KWD509), and its import history can be traced.
My father was told at the time that this was the first diesel Land Rover imported east of Denver & possibly the first diesel in North America. It spent its working life on our family farm in East Tennessee, never exposed to road salt, which has helped preserve the frame.
Family History
- All three of us siblings learned to drive in it.
- It was worked hard on the farm but cared for—kept off salted winter roads.
- In use until 1979, then stored indoors on the farm until I retrieved it in 2010.
- A family project with professional help along the way from well-regarded Land Rover restorers.
- Brakes, wheel bearings, shocks, hydraulic lines, clutch, and suspension redone.
- Original fenders repaired and look better than replacements.
- Engine cleaned and made runnable (vehicle drives under its own power and is great fun).
- Wiper motors cleaned/repacked, POR15 applied to much of the body, elephant-hide seats mostly intact.
- Electrical: front right fender lights and general wiring.
- Engine: likely a stuck ring; could range from freeing it up to a rebuild.
- Brakes: will need attention (leaky fluid reservoir).
- Frame: solid, but the bulkhead forward still needs treatment (POR-15?).
- Body: bulkhead needs paint, rust hole below accelerator pedal, steel support in hood, seals and door frame cleanup, rocker panel work, back right bottom tub corner needs straightening. Fuel tank may need replacement someday.
- Rear door needs hinges-; hand throttle needs to be installed.
I’m 69, the youngest of three siblings, and my kids don’t share the same attachment. I’ve invested considerable time, money, and heart into this Rover, but it’s time for someone else to carry it toward the finish line. This is not a parts car—it is a complete & running, to the right person it might even be a rare/historically significant Rover. Even if that is not quite the case, it deserves to be appreciated, restored, and driven.
The Bottom Line
- Complete vehicle, with original history and documentation.
- Rare early diesel import, potentially the first in North America.
- Solid frame, no salt.
- Substantial professional work already done.
- Needs finishing by someone with the time, skills, and vision/love to bring it back to roadworthy condition.
10.5K OBO.
Jay Spiegel
voice 802-249-8235
fax 802-419-4824